Freshened Chevrolet Captiva SUV Coming to Geneva

Fleet Queen Brand in U.S. Is Mainstream Player Overseas

Whereas Ford's global product lineup is increasingly converging (with a few notable exceptions), it seems Chevrolet's new status as General Motors' mass-market global brand is manifesting itself in a number of market-specific models not sold in the U.S. One of them is the Captiva SUV, which will be featured at the 2013 Geneva motor show. While never a mainstream consumer-market model in the U.S., the Captiva brand was used on repurposed Saturn Vue SUVs that were offered to rental fleets. Featuring the direct-injected engines of the larger Equinox, the Captiva was what the Vue likely would have been had Saturn survived GM's 2009 restructuring.

But Europe will get a new Captiva equipped with such upscale kit as LED taillights, chrome exhaust tips, revised front and rear fascias, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Captiva last received a styling update for the 2011 model year, with front styling similar to that of the Chevrolet Sonic (still sold in Europe as the Aveo). No word on engine availability, although the Captiva is currently offered in various markets with either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, 3.0-liter direct-injected V-6 or a 2.0- or 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine.

Although we can't say we're heartbroken we don't get the Captiva in the States, we wouldn't mind getting its optional 2.2-liter turbodiesel in the Equinox. That engine produces a stout 181 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, and is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission.